CROATIA

GROUP: B

PLAYER TO WATCH: Luka Modric

EXPECTED FINISH: Round of 16

Croatia fixtures

Croatia have been drawn in Group B, making up the archetypal ‘Group of Death’ alongside Spain, Italy and debutants Albania. Regardless, they will be looking to better their round of 16 performances at the previous two European Championships and build on their third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup.

With third place potentially qualifying for the last 16, Croatia will fancy their chances of the knockout stages but will probably need to pick up points against Italy or Spain to become one of the best four third-placed teams.

Should they spring a surprise and win Group B, a third-placed team will await them in the next round. Finishing second will see them up against the Group A winner, likely to be hosts Germany, while third place throws up several possibilities but would guarantee that they face a group winner.

Here are Croatia’s Group B fixtures in full:

• Spain vs Croatia: 16th June (Olympiastadion)
• Croatia vs Albania: 19th June (BVB Stadion)
• Croatia vs Italy: 24th June (Leipzig Stadium)

Standings

Key players

The following players will be key in accomplishing this:

Luka Modric

Caps (goals): 174 (24)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Real Madrid

A player who needs no introduction, Croatia captain Luka Modric is widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders ever.

Technically wonderful, the diminutive playmaker can control the game's tempo, influencing a match in a way that most players could only dream of. His composure in possession is remarkable, while his tactical awareness and versatility are invaluable.

No Croatian player has won the Champions League more times than Modric’s five. He has also won La Liga four times as well as the Copa del Rey, the Super Cup and Club World Cup on multiple occasions.

A veteran of major international tournaments, Modric has a World Cup runner-up and third-place finish to his name and will be targeting success in what will likely be, at the age of 38, his last chance for international glory.

Andrej Kramaric

Caps (goals): 91 (28)

Position: Forward

Club: TSG Hoffenheim

A versatile striker, Andrej Kramaric has the ability to lead the line alone, play as a second striker or even be deployed out wide.

He has been compared to legendary Croatia striker Davor Suker and has been a key figure for his national side over the last decade, as they finished runners-up to France in the 2018 World Cup.

Notching 17 times in all competitions for TSG Hoffenheim this season, Kramaric is heading to the tournament in good form and will be aiming to help Croatia channel their success at World Cups into a similar performance at the European Championships.

Josko Gvardiol

Caps (goals): 29 (2)

Position: Defender

Club: Manchester City

One of the world’s best, Manchester City paid a world record fee for a defender (£77 million) to bring Josko Gvardiol to the Etihad in 2023.

Able to operate as a central defender as well as at left-back, Gvardioe is a mainstay of the Croatian defence that finished third at the 2022 World Cup.

A ball-playing defender, Gvardiol possesses all of the traits required to be a success in the modern game, combining his ability on the ball with all of the assets of a traditional defender.

Just 22 years of age, he has maturity beyond his years and, in his short time at Manchester City, he has already won the Premier League, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup in addition to his honours with Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig.

Previous performances in the Euros

From 1960 until 1992, Croatia competed in the European Championships as part of Yugoslavia. Since their first appearance as Croatia in 1996, they have qualified for every tournament with the exception coming in 2000. While they have not replicated their World Cup successes at the European Championships, they still have a respectable record.

Here are Croatia’s previous performances in the Euros over the years in full:

• 1996: Quarter-finals (lost 2-1 to Germany)
• 2000: Did not qualify
• 2004: Group stage (third in Group B)
• 2008: Quarter-finals (lost to Turkey on penalties)
• 2012: Group stage (third in Group C)
• 2016: Round of 16 (lost 1-0 to Portugal after extra time)
• 2020: Round of 16 (lost 5-3 to Spain after extra time)

Expectations

A tough group B awaits Croatia this summer. They take with them an experienced squad with major tournament experience, mixed with up-and-coming talent that gives them a chance but a third-place finish could throw up an even more difficult last-16 tie.

They will need their experience to help them, with the likes of Modric and Kramaric needing to step up once again, while players like Gvardiol will be just as important if the Croatians are to be in with a shout.

Check out our Croatia betting odds for all our latest prices throughout the European Championships.

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change